A5047635167- Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors Study
- Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
- Receptor Mechanisms and Signaling
- Neuropeptides and Animal Physiology
- Ion channel regulation and function
- Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
- bioluminescence and chemiluminescence research
- Venomous Animal Envenomation and Studies
- Antimicrobial Peptides and Activities
- Marine Biology and Environmental Chemistry
- Hydrogels: synthesis, properties, applications
- Cephalopods and Marine Biology
- Lanthanide and Transition Metal Complexes
- Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
- Advanced MRI Techniques and Applications
University of Utah
2018-2024
Duquesne University
2020
The fish-hunting marine cone snail Conus geographus uses a specialized venom insulin to induce hypoglycemic shock in its prey. We recently showed that this insulin, Con-Ins G1, has unique characteristics relevant the design of new therapeutics. Here, we show snails provide rich source minimized ligands vertebrate receptor. Insulins from C. , tulipa and kinoshitai exhibit diverse sequences, yet all bind activate human Molecular dynamics reveal modes action are distinct any other insulins...
Somatostatin (SS) is a peptide hormone with diverse physiological roles. By investigating deep-water clade of fish-hunting cone snails, we show that predator-prey evolution has generated set SS analogs, each optimized to elicit specific systemic effects in prey. The increased metabolic stability, distinct receptor activation profiles, and chemical diversity the venom analogs make them suitable leads for therapeutic application, including pain, cancer, endocrine disorders. Our findings not...
Abstract Somatostatin and its related peptides (SSRPs) form an important family of hormones with diverse physiological roles. The ubiquitous presence SSRPs in vertebrates several invertebrate deuterostomes suggests ancient origin the SSRP signaling system. However, existence genes outside has not been established, evolutionary history this system remains poorly understood. Our recent discovery SSRP-like toxins (consomatins) venomous marine cone snails (Conus) suggested a mollusks potentially...
Animal venom peptides represent valuable compounds for biomedical exploration. The venoms of marine cone snails constitute a particularly rich source peptide toxins, known as conotoxins. Here, we identify the sequence an unusually large conotoxin, Mu8.1, which defines new class conotoxins evolutionarily related to well-known con-ikot-ikots and 2 additional conotoxin classes not previously described. crystal structure recombinant Mu8.1 displays saposin-like fold shows structural similarity...
Venom systems are complex traits that have independently emerged multiple times in diverse plant and animal phyla. Within each venomous lineage there typically exists interspecific variation venom composition where several factors been proposed as drivers of variation, including phylogeny diet. Understanding these is broad biological interest has implications for the development antivenom therapies venom-based drug discovery. Because their high species richness presence major evolutionary...
The imperial cone uses small-molecule mimicry, imitating the pheromones of its worm prey in a hunting strategy.
Perfluorocarbons are versatile compounds with applications in 19F magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and chemical conjugation to drugs pH sensors. We present a novel thermoresponsive perfluorocarbon emulsion hydrogel that can be detected by MRI. The developed contains perfluoro(polyethylene glycol dimethyl ether) (PFPE) droplets stabilized through ionic cross-linking polyethylenimine (PEI). Specifically, PFPE ester undergoes hydrolysis upon contact aqueous PEI solution, resulting an bond...
Peptide hormones and neuropeptides form a diverse class of bioactive secreted molecules that control essential processes in animals. Despite breakthroughs peptide discovery, many signaling peptides remain undiscovered. Recently, we demonstrated the use somatostatin-mimicking toxins from cone snails to identify invertebrate ortholog somatostatin. Here, show this toxin-based approach can be systematically applied discover other unknown secretory are likely have function. Using large sequencing...
Natural products such as conotoxins have tremendous potential tools for biomedical research and the treatment of different human diseases. Conotoxins are peptides present in venoms predatory cone snails that a rich diversity pharmacological functions. One major bottlenecks natural is rapid identification evaluation bioactive molecules. To overcome this limitation, we designed set light-induced behavioral assays zebrafish larvae to screen conotoxins. We used screening approach test several...
Abstract Mollusk-hunting (molluscivorous) cone snails belong to a monophyletic group in Conus, genus of venomous marine snails. The molluscivorous lineage evolved from ancestral worm-hunting (vermivorous) ∼18 Ma. To enable the shift lifestyle, must solve biological problems encountered when hunting other gastropods, namely: (i) preventing prey escape and (ii) overcoming formidable defense form molluscan shell, problem unique Conus. Here, we show that χ-conotoxins, peptides exclusively...
Abstract Animal venom peptides represent valuable compounds for biomedical exploration. The venoms of marine cone snails constitute a particularly rich source peptide toxins, known as conotoxins. Here, we identify the sequence an unusually large conotoxin, Mu8.1, that defines new class conotoxins evolutionarily related to well-known con-ikot-ikots and two additional conotoxin classes not previously described. crystal structure recombinant Mu8.1 displays saposin-like fold shows structural...
Abstract Cone snails are a diverse group of venomous marine gastropods that have dioecious reproduction and internal fertilization resulting in egg deposition inside capsules. However, the observational studies conducted on their spawning behaviour masses left many open questions. Here, we analyse from specimen Conus ermineus kept captivity for over 17 years. We present first detailed description morphological features capsules eggs (e.g., shape, size, colour). The analysis these led us to...
Abstract Peptide hormones and neuropeptides form a diverse class of signaling molecules that control essential processes in animals. Despite several breakthroughs peptide discovery, many peptides remain undiscovered. Recently, we demonstrated the use somatostatin-like toxins from cone snail venom to identify homologous prey. Here, demonstrate this toxin-based approach can be systematically applied discovery other unknown bilaterian peptides. Using large sequencing datasets, searched for...
Abstract Somatostatin and its related peptides (SSRPs) form an important family of hormones with diverse physiological roles. The ubiquitous presence SSRPs in vertebrates several invertebrate deuterostomes suggests ancient origin the SSRP signaling system. However, existence genes outside has not been established evolutionary history this system remains poorly understood. Our recent discovery SSRP-like toxins (consomatins) venomous marine cone snails ( Conus) suggested a homologous mollusks...